Pirate Radio is a boat at sea harboring an illegal radio station that plays banned rock music 24/7 to the UK. The DJ’s play their music to rabid fans who disagree with the rules set by the BBC of 30 minutes of pop music a day. Carl, the godson of Pirate Radio’s station manager Quentin, arrives after getting kicked out of school and his mother’s suggestion that it might do him good to spend time on the boat. Carl discovers rock mayhem and wildness are daily fare on Pirate Radio.

Standout performances include Phillip Seymour Hoffman as The Count, Bill Nighy as Quentin, Rhys Ifans as Gavin Canavagh, Nick Frost as Doctor Dave, and Chris O’Dowd as Simple Simon. There are some fun turns by Emma Thompson  as Carl’s eccentric mother Charlotte, and Kenneth Branagh as the very uptight Sir Alistair Dormandy, bent on destroying Pirate Radio. Several pieces of rock music are not correct for the time period but hey, its good rock and roll nonetheless.

The actors give solid performances and appeared to have a great time filming the movie. While the film was entertaining between the enthusiastic acting of the actors and the cool movie soundtrack, the screenplay was unfortunately lacking.

The rock music is fantastic if you are really into 60’s rock and if you don’t mind a lot of improv in the movie you might enjoy Pirate Radio. Richard Curtis pays homage to the 60’s radio stations that went against BBC rules to give the public the rock they were yearning for. The acting and the soundtrack are terrific so sit back, set your expectations to entertainment only and enjoy the fun.

2009. Written and directed by Richard Curtis. Starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Tom Sturridge, Bill Nighy, Gavin Canavagh, Nick Frost, Chris O’Dowd, Ralph Brown and Tom Brooke.

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